Kerala
Explanation
The geographical distribution of Ashokan inscriptions-comprising Major Rock Edicts, Minor Rock Edicts, and Pillar Edicts-serves as the primary archaeological evidence for demarcating the territorial boundaries of the Mauryan Empire.
Region-wise Analysis:
- Bihar: This region was the heartland of the Mauryan Empire (Magadha), containing the capital Pataliputra. It was central to the administration.
- Madhya Pradesh: This region was an integral part of the empire. Ashoka served as the viceroy of Ujjain before his accession, and significant monuments, such as the Sanchi Stupa and various edicts (e.g., Rupnath, Gujarra), are located here.
- Andhra Pradesh: The discovery of Ashokan edicts at sites like Yerragudi and Rajula-Mandagiri confirms that the Mauryan control extended deep into the Deccan, likely administered from the southern provincial capital, Suvarnagiri.
- Kerala: In Major Rock Edict II and Major Rock Edict XIII, Ashoka explicitly mentions the Cholas, Pandyas, Satyaputras, and Keralaputras (Cheras) as independent neighboring kingdoms lying outside his dominion. These regions maintained friendly relations but were not politically integrated into the Mauryan Empire.
Key Takeaway: The Mauryan Empire covered the vast majority of the Indian subcontinent, extending from the Hindu Kush in the northwest to Mysore in the south, but it excluded the extreme southern peninsula (modern-day Kerala and Tamil Nadu) and parts of the northeast.